Understanding your dental health can help you to maintain a bright and beautiful smile for life. Learning to recognize the signs that treatment is needed will ensure that you seek dental care when issues are small, rather than letting problems grow into large ones. If you ever have any questions about your dental health or a symptom you are experiencing, contact KFA Dental at (516) 249-1188.

Do I Have to Visit My Dentist Twice a Year?

If you “just want your teeth to look good,” why do you need frequent dental care? Visiting your dentist twice a year is necessary to ensure that both your teeth and gums are healthy. Healthy gums enhance the appearance of healthy teeth, while infected gums can lead to eventual tooth loss. Biannual dental checkups will ensure that any health issues that arise with your teeth and gums are addressed quickly so your smile will continue to look its best.

Can I Whiten My Teeth?

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular—and safest—cosmetic dental procedures performed today. Whitening is a non-invasive, fast, and easy way to drastically improve the appearance of your smile. KFA Dental offers Zoom! in-office whitening treatments, which allows you to enjoy a noticeably whiter smile in just one hour.

What Should I Do if My Dentures Are Uncomfortable?

Dentures are designed to replace missing teeth for a full and healthy smile. However, some patients find that wearing dentures is difficult or uncomfortable. If you are displeased with the fit of your dentures, schedule a visit with us. An adjustment may be necessary, as your mouth changes over time. Alternatively, you and your dentist can discuss the use of dental implants to permanently replace missing teeth.

At KFA Dental, our experienced team is here to help you maintain excellent dental health and a smile you’re excited to share with the world. You can learn more about general, preventive, and restorative dental care in Long Island by calling (516) 249-1188. You can find more important dental health tips and information on our website, www.kfadental.com

When you smile, do you feel self-conscious about the amount of gums that show? Whether you’re worried that your gums sit too low or too high around your teeth, gum contouring can help. This cosmetic dentistry procedure evens out your gums and gives them a more aesthetically-appealing look.

There are a number of things that contribute to issues with the shape of your gums, from medications and health conditions to gum recession and genetics. If a medication or health condition is causing your gum woes, treating the underlying issue first may help you get the best results from your gum contouring procedure. There are a number of different methods your dentist can use to reshape your gums, including lasers and veneers. Your dentist will choose which method is right for you based on your particular case.

Find out if contouring can help you say goodbye to your gummy smile for good. Call KFA Dental in Long Island and set up an appointment to discuss this procedure and other cosmetic dentistry treatments. You can reach our office at (516) 249-1188.

When you lose several teeth, you know it’s time to consider options like dental implants and dentures, but what about when you lose a single tooth? In the past, dental bridges were often used to replace single teeth, but now, dentists are turning increasingly to dental implants as the solution. Dental implants have many advantages over other tooth replacement methods for single teeth. Here are a few of the benefits of opting for an implant.

No Stress on Natural Teeth
Dental bridges rely on the support of neighboring natural teeth to remain in place. These teeth must be shaved to make room for the bridge, and over time, the stress of supporting the bridge can cause you to lose those teeth as well. Dental implants are supported by artificial tooth roots, so they don’t put any pressure on neighboring teeth.

Natural Appearance
Over time, bridges can begin to look unnatural. This is because the bone that used to surround your natural tooth eventually begins to resorb and the gums begin to recede. This can lead to the metal portion of the bridge becoming exposed. This process never happens with a dental implant, because the artificial root becomes integrated with your jawbone. No one will be able to detect a difference between your natural teeth and your dental implant, even as time passes.

No Special Care Required
Dental implants don’t require any special care. Simply brush and floss as you would with your natural teeth, and your implant should stay healthy. With a bridge, the cement that holds the bridge often washes out, which allows bacteria to accumulate in the remaining pocket. This means that you have to take special precautions to keep your mouth healthy and the bridge stable.

If you’ve lost a tooth, see if a single-tooth implant from KFA Dental is right for you. Make an appointment with one of our dentists and learn more about our cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures in Long Island by calling (516) 249-1188.

The first thing to understand about root canals is that they are not as bad as you think. Although they have a reputation for being one of the most dreaded dental procedures, patients actually report that the experience is as simple and painless as having a cavity filled. While having a root canal is certainly not something you should dread, it does help to understand what to expect from the process. At KFA Dental, we welcome your questions and are always willing to explain the procedure in detail. This overview of the root canal process will also help.

X-Ray and Anesthesia
Your dentist will start your root canal by taking an X-ray of the treatment area. This X-ray is used to determine if there are any signs of infection in the bone around your tooth. Your dentist will then proceed with giving you a local anesthetic injection. Interestingly, most patients could have a root canal without anesthesia, since the nerve around the root is dead. However, anesthesia is given to increase patient comfort.

Cleaning
After your anesthetic takes effect, your dentist will drill a small access hole into your tooth. This allows him or her to remove pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and debris from your tooth. The cleaning process will be performed using a series of files that increase in size until your dentist is confident that the area is thoroughly cleaned. Water or sodium hypochlorite may be used to assist with the cleaning process.

Sealing and Crown Placement
Once your dentist is confident that your tooth is completely clean, he or she may seal the tooth right away. However, your dentist may choose not to seal the tooth until a later appointment, especially if you have an infection that needs to be treated. If sealing is delayed, your dentist will place a temporary filling. Generally, once the sealing process is complete, your dentist will place a crown over the treated area to protect the remaining tooth material.

If you have questions about root canals or other restorative dentistry treatments, get in touch with KFA Dental. Our dental team can help you determine which treatment option will be best for your smile. You can reach our Long Island dental practice by calling (516) 249-1188.